Slicing machine



March 13, 192s 1,662,214

E. M. STILES SLICING MACHINE Filed June 25. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l March 13, 1928.

E. M. STILES SLICING MACHINE Filed June 25. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 13, 1928.

E. M. STILES SLICING MACHINE Filed June 25. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 LEE III- Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD I. STILES, OF BURLINGTON, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO U. S. SLICING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF INDTANA.

SLICING MACHINE.

This invention relates to machines for slicing meats, bread or other commodities, and has for its object the provision of a machine in which the commodity may be com pletely sliced without reclamping and which shall be of improved construction and -oper ation.

The invention'is simplified in the combination and arrangement of parts, shown in m the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification, and it is more rmrticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

35 Fig. l is a top plan view of a slicing machine showing one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1. I

l ig. 3 is a rear elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

blicing machines now in common use are commonly provided with a rotating disk knife and a reciprocating support for the meat, or other commodity, to be sliced. They are provided either with a hand wheel 10-- rated at the operators side of the supporting platform, or with some form of motor drive.

an The knife is commonly mounted to rotate about a fixed axis in front of the support and adjacentthe side away from the operator so that the slices are formed as the reciprocating table moves away from the opekator. This necessarily leaves the edge of the kn fe adjacent the operator exposed, in

order to engage the material to be sliced.

.l'uards are commonly employed in a position offset from the edge of the knife, to minimize danger as much as possible.

The commodity is held in place on the table either by a top grip or an end grip and projects toward the knife from the portion engaged by the grip. The projecting portion is largely dependent upon the rigidity of the object being sliced to withstand the thrust of the commodity against the edge of the knife. For this reason it is usually not possible to project the commodity more than approximately four inches from the grip, as otherwisethe projecting portion will yield under the force of the knife and cause uneven slices. Since a piece of bacon or boiled ham is much longer than four inches, it is, necessary to release the piece and re-clamp it two or three times in order to completely slice the ham or slab of bacon. The same is true of other objects sliced upon the machine. It is also necessary to provide a special end grip for slicing the final end piece. especially objectionable for slicing loaves of bread, since the top grip will mar the bread if it is pressed down sulficiently hard to hold the loaf. f

In the present invention the slicing knife is moved toward the front of the table adjacent the operators position and the slices are severed at the time that the table approaches the operator, instead of during the movement of the table away from the operator. This makes it possible to provide an abutment plate at the side of the table away from the operator without obstructing the side of the table adjacent the'operator.

1n the old arrangei'nent of slicing machines, where the slice is formed during the movement away from the operator, it has heretofore been objectionable to use an abutment at. the edge of the table, since such an abutment would obstruct the side of the table toward the operator and interfere with placing the material on the table and the operation of the clamping device. Such an abutment would also increase the danger of operation, as there would be danger of catclr mg the operators hand between the abut-.

ment and the edge of the knife. In the present arrangement, however, this danger is practically overcome, as the space between tlie knife and the abutment is re moved from the operators position.

Many other advai' tages result from the present arrangement. The abutment-at the side of the commodity away fromthe'knife forms a support for the entire lateral face of the commodity, so that the only clamping necessary can be done at the extreme end of the object, making it possible to completely slice the piece without re-setting the clamp. I

The support at the side of the piece in cooperation with a clamp at the rear overcomes the turning movement which the knife exerts upon the piece and which is dif-' ficult to resist where the slices are separate from a freelyprojecting end. It is also much more convenient to receive the slices in the hand of the operator as they are formed, since the slices leave the knife while they This arrangement is are moving toward the operator and are severed at a point closer to the operator's position.

In the old form of slicing machine a great deal of practice required in order to be come proficient in handstticking; but in the present machine handstacking may be much more easily accomplished.

The machine as shown in the drawings is provided with a base it), having guide rails 11 and 12, on which a reciprocating table 13 is mounted to slide. A link it is pivoted at 15 to the lower side of the table l3 and is pivotally connected at it; to the end of crank arm 17. The arm 17 is secured to a stud shaft 18 journaled in the top plate of the base it and provided at it:- lowcr end with a beveled gear .19. The gear 19 Incshcs with a pinion :20 secured to a shaft 2i. journalcd in the base 10. The shaft it carries a hand wheel Q2 located at the operator}; side of the base it).

It will be apparent that; rotation ot' the hand wheel :22 will impart reciprocating movement to the table 13. .i knilie support and chain box 23 extends upwardly at the side of the base it) and carries a rotary disk knife 24 mounted on a shaft 525 journalcd in the upper end of the support.

The. shaft 25 is connected by a chain it) with a sprocket wheel QT secured to a shaft 28 journaled in the trame it). The shat't is carries on its inner end a beveled pinion 25) which meshes with the gear l9. This mechzc nisni imparts rotary movement to the knife 24- in aclockwise dir ction, as viewed in Fig. 9..

In the present invention the usual upper table or meat plate omitted and the piece to be sliced is placed directly on the upper surface of the reciprocating table l3. This surface is preferably provided with corrugations extending ltmgitudinally thereon and the in rat. or other commodity. i.-' slid along these corrugations by a follower which engages the rear end of the piece. This fol lower includes a base plate $.50, having its: ends titted into dovetail grooves 31 at the sides of the table 13.

The table is provided with a laterally projccting arm 33. having a catch 34.- lor engaging the threads of a feed screw 35, which moves the base plate forwardly when the table reaches the end of its strt'ike by means of I'tlitllttli mechanism 36 and an adjustable stop 37 in a manner well known in the art.

The base plate is provided with a pair of posts 38. which carry a top grip 39. ad justable on the posts 38. and held in position thereon by teeth 40. An upright plate i1 is held between the posts 38 by means of clips 42, which engage the edges of the posts. The upper edge of the plate it may be pro vided with a handle 43. The top grip 39 carries downwardly projecting spikes or pins it. which are located in a line slightly in advance of the front face of the plate 41. 'lhe plate ll is provided with a horizontal slot -15, having a stud screw 46 extending thcrcthrough. The screw is provided with a rectangular portion ii for holding it against l'ot1ilioil in the slot 'l'hc trout end of the screw carries an upright bar is, having spikes 4%) at. one edge thereof. A wing nut 50 i.-: threaded on the rear end of the screw -16 for locating the bar ir in adiu tcd ositions across the face of the platc ll. l'lxtcuding along the entire sidc ot the table opposite the operator's position is an upright almtnicnt plate 51. The front edge ol this plate flu hed with the trout edge ot' the surface of the table 15.

shown in broken lines in Fig. 1. a piece ol meat. or other commodity. to be sliced is placed on the table til with its rear end against. the upright plate '11 and with one ridiagainst the abutment plate 51. The top clamp ll) is pro-used into engagement with the top porti n of the rear end of the piece and thc spikcs l!) on the bar l b arc i'orccd into the edge ol' the piece opposite the abutment at. The piece is thus clamped in po siti n for slicing the entire piece without the ncccssity ol' cclamping. Sliccs may he accuratcly cut from the forward cud of the iougcst pieces: when held in thi manner. "for thc reason that the downward force of the rotatimr knife is opposed by the upper face ot' the table t l. while the horizontal thrust ot' the knil'e is overcome by the abutment platc Ill. The l'orward pull exerted by the knife tendingto rotate the piece on the top of the table is: overcome by the spikes; l9 and thc abutment plate 51 which coora ratc to hold the pie e from rotation upon the top or" thc table. The spikes it on the top grip fill, oi conrsc. a--sist in this operation.

it has been t'ound in practice that even the long'ost picccs of meat. as they are delivcrcd to thc lradc and full loavcs ot' brmill may be readily sliced from start to finish without: rc-clampiup or resetting of the piece in the slicing machine.

The usual slice table 52 may be provided t'or receiving the slices and the edge of the knife adja ent the operator is preferably protected by a guard It is usually unnccii s ary to provide a guard for the rear edge of thc knife. since this is removed from the operators position and there is very lit ilc danger lrom this source. if desired. lmwcvcr. it is apparent that a guard may be provided for this edge of the knife oflsct outwardly in the u ual manner.

l claim 1. A slicing machine comprising a supporting base. having an opcrators position arranged at one edge thereof. a slicing knife spaced away from the oppt'is te edge of said base and having its cutting plane substan- Ion ll J

tially normal to said edges, a table mounted to reciprocate on said base and movable to a position towards said opposite edge beyond said slicing knife, to permit slices to be severed from material on said table as said table is moved towards said operators position, and an abutment at the side of said table away fromsaid operators position, said abutment extending approximately to the cutting plane of the knife.

2. In a slicing machine a supporting base having an operators osition arranged at one edge thereof, a slicing knife disposed at the front side of said table nearer the operators position than it is to the opposite edge thereof, a reciprocating table mounted on said base and movable past said knife to sever slices therefrom as said table approaches said operators position, an abutment plate mounted at the side of said table opposite said operatorsposition and extending approximately to the cutting plane of said knife, means for engaging the rear of a piece of material on said reciprocating table and means for feeding said engaging means towards the front edge of said table and extending to a position adjacent the cutting plane of said knife.

3. In a slicing machine a supporting base having operating means located at one side thereof, a table mounted on said base for reciprocation toward and away from said side, a slicing knife disposed adjacent the path of movement of saidtableand an abutment disposed at the side of said table away from said operating means;

4. In a slicing machine, a support, a table mounted to reciprocate on said support, a slicing knife disposed adjacent the path of said table, an abutment at the side of said table opposite that first presented to said knife during a severing movement of said table, holding means for engaging material on said table and means for feeding said holding means along said table in a direction parallel to said abutment.

5. In a slicing machine a supporting base, a slicing knife disposed adjacent the front edge of said base, a table mounted on said base, means for reciprocating said table past said slicing knife in a direction substantially parallel to said front edge, an actuator for said reciprocating means disposed at one end of the path of movement of said table, an abutment on said table at the side thereof opposite said actuator and a clamping device movable along said table in a direction substantially parallel to said abutment, said clamping device being arranged to engage the rear portion of a piece of material on said table.

6. In a slicing machine, a slicing knife, a reciprocating table movable past said slicing knife in a direction substantially parallel to the cutting plane of said knife, an actuator for said slicing machine disposed at one end of thepath of movement of said table, said table being movable awayfrom said actuator to a position beyond sai'd slicing knife to permit slices to be severed during a movement of said table towards said actuator, an abutment arranged at the side of said table away from said actuator and extending to a position adjacent the cutting plane of said knife, andzmeans for feeding material along said table and abutment toward the cutting plane of said slicing knife. I

7. In a slicing machine, a slicing knife, 2. table arranged to reciprocate relative to said knife, a hand actuator for said slicing machine arranged at one end of the path of n'ioven'ient of said table, said slicing knife being disposed closer to said end than to the opposite end of said path of movement, an abutment on said table atthe side thereof opposite said actuator and extending to a po s'tion adjacent the cutting plane of said knife, means for-engaging the end of a piece of material on said table away from the cut ting plane of said knife, and means for feeding said engagementmeans toward said cut.- ting plane.

8. In a slicing machine, a reciprocating table, a slicing knife having its cutting plane extending in the direction of movementof said table and disposed at one side of the path of movement of said table and near one on d of the path of n'iovcment thereof, a hand actuator for said slicing machine disposed at the end of the'path' of movement of said table adjacent said slicing knife, an abutment at the side of said table opposite said acutator and extending substantially to the edge of said table adjacent said slicing knife, means for engaging a piece of material on said table adjacent the corner thereof away from sa d abutment and awayfrom the cutting plane of said knife, and means for feed ng said engaging means towards the cntting plane of said knife. i i

9. In combination, a reciprocating table, a slicing knife disposed, adjacent the path of movement of one edge of said table, a follower movable along said table toward said edge, an abutment on said table at one side of the path of movement of said follower, means on said follower for gripping a piece of material at the corner thereof away from said abutment and said edge,and means for intermittently feedingsaid abutment toward said edge. i

10. In combination, a table for supporting.

material to be sliced, a slicing knifedisposed adjacent the path of movement of the forward edge of said table, an abutment on said table for engaging the side of a piece of material thereon to move. said material toward said slicing knife during a severing operation, a follower plate movable along said table to feed material toward the for- Ward edge of said table, means for engaging the top of said material adjacent said fol-- lower and means for engaging the side of said material opposite said abutment plate and at a point adjaeent said follower.

11. In combination, a slicing knife, a re eiproeating table for feeding Said material to said knife and a follower for moving the material along said table. said follower comprising an upright. plate, a top grip movable vertieally on said plate and a side grip movable horizontally along said plate.

12. In ('Olttlrltltltlfilt, a. reeiproeating table having a fixed supl'iorting surface, an abutment at one edge of said table and a follower for moving material along said table. said follower eoinprising an upright abutment substantially at right angles to said first; named abutment. a top grip for engaging material adjacent said follower and a side grip for engaging material adjaeent said follower.

13. In a. slieing maehine. a reeiprotatting table, a knife disposed adjaeent the path of movement of said table. an abutment at ranged atone edge of said table and an upright follower for feed ng material along said table toward the eutting plane of said knife. said follower having a top grip movable vertieally thereon and provided with spikes for engaging the top of a pieee of ll'ttllOlltll on said table at: points adjaeent saiu follmver, a side grip having spikes for engaging said pieee of material at the side thereof opposite said abutment. and means for elamping said side grip in adjusted positions.

14. Tu a slicing maehine. a supporting base, a. table arranged to reeiproeate on said base, a knife disposed adjaeent the path of movement of said table, an abutment arranged at one side of said table. eorrugations on the surfaee of said table arranged substantially parallel with said abutment, and a follower for moving material over the surface of: said table and along said abutment. said follower being arranged to engage the rear portion of said material while the remaining portion of said material rests freely on said table and against said abutment.

15.111 :1 slicing machine, a supporting base, a table mounted to reeiproeate on said base, a knife disposed adjaeent the path of movement of one edge of said table and near one end of said path of movement, a hand actuator positioned at the end of tlte path of movement of said table adjaeent said knife, an abutment plate extending along the side of said table opposite said artuator, and a follower for feeding material along said table toward the eutting plane of said knife. said follower eomprising a support slidably mounted on said table am] having uprights thereon, a plate supported by said uprights. a top grip movable on said up rights and a side grip movable along said plate for engaging the side of material on said table opposite said abutment.

If. A work supporting table for a slieing; maehine having an upright abutment at: one side thereof. a elamp for holding material on said table. and an upright for supporting said clamp. said upright being positioned at, the inner side of said abutment.

l7. work supporting table for slicing marbines having a slide movable over the top thereof, an upright earried by said slide. a. elamp mounted on said upright. and an abutment plate at; one side of said table disposed outside the path of movement of said upright.

18. In a. slicing mat-blue, a reeiproeating work supporting table having an upright abutment at. one side thereof. a slide mounted on said table. an upright earried by said slide and positioned at the inner side of said upright abutment, and means eonneeted with said upright; and slide for holding therear fare of material supported by said plate.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this speeitieation on this 122ml day of June, A. l). 1925.

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